User advise on Sanyo PM-8200 or Toshiba VM4050 from Samsung A740

[red bioroid]

After 2 days with the Samsung A740, I don't want to use it anymore (it doesn't meet my below last 3 requirements). The prior "perfect" Sprint phone I had was an LG TP5250 back around 2002. I plan to keep the "perfect" phone for at least 2-3 years. Here's the features I must have.

1. Clarity and good reception.
2. The main LCD doesn't turn off after dialing.
3. The outside LCD must give the time, missed calls and voicemail and must NOT turn itself off after closing. Additionally, this helps me with knowing when to recharge the phone.
4. Recharging standard battery is not needed until the 2.5-3 days (from moderately use and while in standby).

I'm looking at the phones that I believe meet all 4 requirements:

1) $279 Sanyo PM-8200 = it looks like it will meet my needs after I played with it today . I've read it's a reliable phone with above avg battery life and a lot of users give it a good rating.

2) $309 Toshiba VM4050= the reviews give it a slight advantage over the Sanyo Pm-8200 , it has richer colors and more playing opportunity with the ringtones\sounds, but shorter battery life. I don't mine getting an extended battery if it's tolerable.

3) $349 Samsung MM-7400= looks like an upgrade to the Sanyo PM-8200 with features I don't need , too expensive but I'm open to it.

I'm eyeing either #1 or preferably #2 . I do get the $150 rebate and the price difference between the 2 is negligle. The most important thing for me is that all 3 phones have all 4 features I must have.

Actual users please advise or make corrections. I plan to go to the store and get it right this time. Thank you.

[Sandiegodude]

Wirelessly posted (Vm 4050: Mozilla/4.0 (MobilePhone MM-7400/US/1.0) NetFront/3.1 MMP/2.0)

Get The 7400 from costco for 259 before rebates.

[devon82]

I personally have enjoyed the Toshiba 4050. It has the best reception, clarity and features I've found out of all the sprint phones. And let me not forget to mention the high resolution screen which is simply put, beautiful. The only 2 things I don't like about it are the resolution on the external screen and the lack of avail. of certain vision games and ringers, no major loss there. I download a majority of my ringers and such elsewhere like d-d-n.com

The external screen does let you know if there is a missed call and such and the little light flashes red to also alert you of a missed call or voicemail. The phone can be customized in just about anyway from personalized menu screens to skins and faceplates for the external shell. You can set both the internal and external screens to certain time durations before they shut off.

The camera is actually nice too, takes a decent picture

It's an awesome phone!!

[tuolumne]

After 2 days with the Samsung A740, I don't want to use it anymore (it doesn't meet my below last 3 requirements). The prior "perfect" Sprint phone I had was an LG TP5250 back around 2002. I plan to keep the "perfect" phone for at least 2-3 years. Here's the features I must have.

1. Clarity and good reception.
2. The main LCD doesn't turn off after dialing.
3. The outside LCD must give the time, missed calls and voicemail and must NOT turn itself off after closing. Additionally, this helps me with knowing when to recharge the phone.
4. Recharging standard battery is not needed until the 2.5-3 days (from moderately use and while in standby).




1. Clarity is not one of Sanyo's hallmarks.
2. No SPCS flip phone does this
3. A700/620 and all Sanyo's flips do this
4. Most phones abliet 6225/3205, A680/740/760 get good battery life.

[bluecoyote]

1. Clarity is not one of Sanyo's hallmarks.
2. No SPCS flip phone does this
3. A700/620 and all Sanyo's flips do this
4. Most phones abliet 6225/3205, A680/740/760 get good battery life.


In response to #2)

Yes, if you had actually used the Vm4050, you would know that you can specify for the main LCD to stay on during the duration of a call. With the VM4050, you can also specify the screen to dim or shut off (excellent for battery conservation) , and even specify the time it stays on at what brightness.

Or, if you're like me, tell it to stay fully illuminated all the time.


The Vm4050 will meet your needs and then excel in many areas, although an extended battery might help you even more.

Fortunately, the Vm4050 lets you customize many power-saving aspects of it to maximize battery life.

And the Vm4050's external LCD will stay lit after closing between 5 and 55 seconds.